Two men, both shot in leg, face charges

Published: Friday, September 13, 2013 at 3:28 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, September 13, 2013 at 3:28 p.m.

SILVER SPRINGS SHORES — Sheriff's Office officials said that two men, who they believe were each shot in the leg during an apparent drug deal, have been arrested.

Noah S. Francis, 18, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zavaladraga Blossom Rich Jr., 21, was charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, aggravated battery with a firearm, attempted purchase of marijuana, possession of a concealed firearm and driving while license is suspended or revoked.

The incident occurred Monday at a residence on Dogwood Drive Pass in Silver Springs Shores.

A witness told a Sheriff's Office Tactical Investigations Unit detective that Rich called her and said he wanted to buy marijuana. She said she picked him up and drove him to the residence on Dogwood Drive Pass to meet with Francis. She said the men were inside discussing the purchase when there was a struggle over a handgun and both men were shot, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

Rich told investigators he became nervous after he saw a firearm sitting next to a television in a bedroom where he and Francis were talking. He said there was an altercation between them and he was shot, the report notes.

Francis claimed he was supposed to buy marijuana from Rich. He said they were in a room when Rich pulled a gun on him and they began fighting over the weapon, which is when he was shot. He denied selling marijuana from the home, according to the report.

Rich fled the scene, but later was apprehended in a traffic stop. Both men were hospitalized for their wounds.

In a search of the home, officials recovered a bag containing marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Inside was Francis' identification card and some letters addressed to him, the report states.

After being released from the hospital — Francis on Monday and Rich on Thursday — the men were booked into the Marion County Jail. Francis remains there on $11,000 bond. Rich's bonds total $40,500.

<p>SILVER SPRINGS SHORES — Sheriff's Office officials said that two men, who they believe were each shot in the leg during an apparent drug deal, have been arrested.</p><p>Noah S. Francis, 18, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.</p><p>Zavaladraga Blossom Rich Jr., 21, was charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, aggravated battery with a firearm, attempted purchase of marijuana, possession of a concealed firearm and driving while license is suspended or revoked.</p><p>The incident occurred Monday at a residence on Dogwood Drive Pass in Silver Springs Shores.</p><p>A witness told a Sheriff's Office Tactical Investigations Unit detective that Rich called her and said he wanted to buy marijuana. She said she picked him up and drove him to the residence on Dogwood Drive Pass to meet with Francis. She said the men were inside discussing the purchase when there was a struggle over a handgun and both men were shot, according to a Sheriff's Office report.</p><p>Rich told investigators he became nervous after he saw a firearm sitting next to a television in a bedroom where he and Francis were talking. He said there was an altercation between them and he was shot, the report notes.</p><p>Francis claimed he was supposed to buy marijuana from Rich. He said they were in a room when Rich pulled a gun on him and they began fighting over the weapon, which is when he was shot. He denied selling marijuana from the home, according to the report.</p><p>Rich fled the scene, but later was apprehended in a traffic stop. Both men were hospitalized for their wounds.</p><p>In a search of the home, officials recovered a bag containing marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Inside was Francis' identification card and some letters addressed to him, the report states.</p><p>After being released from the hospital — Francis on Monday and Rich on Thursday — the men were booked into the Marion County Jail. Francis remains there on $11,000 bond. Rich's bonds total $40,500.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>